Dad’s Sweater

Dad in his new sweater
Dad in his new sweater

My father passed away on February 18, having worn his new sweater constantly since Christmas. His 77th birthday would have been on Sunday.

I mentioned  back in December that I’d been knitting, not stitching. This was the result. A month and a half of frantic knitting produced a sweater that my father wore constantly. đŸ™‚ I think he likes that it’s darker than the light arans Mom and I have given him over the years.

On the other hand, knitting in the evening does produce some problems. The skeins I used were all the same “dye lot” (they’re natural colored wool) but NOT the same shade. That works really well when the lighter piece is the button band, or both sleeves. Not so much when the shade changes noticeably in the middle of the back.  Yet, I doubt anyone will notice it but me…

Cable pattern
Cables - click to enlarge

The pattern is one from Patons: appropriately, “Dad’s Cardigan.” Apart from some very strangely worded instructions and a couple of typos that changed the pattern from the way it was shown, it went together pretty easily.  Find the mini-cable twist pattern instructions somewhere else, though.  It’s also a pretty loose stitch count for an Aran knit. But it turned out warm and well-loved, so I’m happy. And so was Dad, which is what really matters!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

6 Responses to Dad’s Sweater

  1. {{Hugs}}. It’s great to find something that is so well enjoyed. It’s especially difficult doing it for 1) the men in my life [YMMV] 2) older people who are trying to de-accumulate.

    • I’ve found that sweaters, deaccumulation or no, are usually welcome in older folks’ lives. Dad had two arans that mom had knit that he wore out he wore them so constantly – and then came and asked me to darn the 6 inch holes in them. (I managed it, but now I think they’re going to become felted pillows for ME – I miss her, too.) and another that I knit him about 5 years ago. He also loved handknit socks, though the ones I made him turned out to be too short in the leg for his liking. (Most of the men in my life seem to want almost knee-high socks – so be prepared to buy 4-5 skeins of yarn for them!) đŸ™‚

  2. I’m so sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family.
    How nice that the gift you made your father was one he obviously loved. Blessings

    • Thank you. And I am! đŸ™‚ He refused to wear the sweater on dialysis days for fear it would disappear at the center, but he put it on as soon as he got home. I think that’s the epitome of appreciation!

Leave a reply